Rent

Once you have found a property that you are interested in, get in touch with Idealse to arrange a suitable time for you to view the property.

Idealse staff are fully trained in helping you find the perfect home so the more information you can give us to explain exactly what you are looking for and what is on your wish list will assist us in helping you to find your ideal ‘home’.

If you would like to rent a property that you have seen you should then notify Idealse quickly that you would like to rent it out. From a finance perspective make sure that you consider how much the deposit is and any Idealse fees that may apply.

At this stage you will normally be asked to pay some fees to take the property off market and possibly a holding deposit or something similar. This ensures that Idealse or our partners does not carry out further viewings.  The referencing process then begins and as a minimum will include:

• References from your current landlord and employer
• Address check
• Credit checks
• Providing identification of who you are and those that would be on the tenancy agreement
• Income verification

In some circumstances you may be asked to provide a guarantor. Similar reference checks are then carried out for your guarantor.

Idealse will then inform you if your application has been successful.

A tenancy agreement is then drawn up which details all of the legal and contractual obligations that both you and your landlord must abide by. It is important that you read the agreement before signing it.  If you do not understand all terms, it is important you seek legal help for explanation.  You can contact the Citizen Advice Bureau, or any qualified legal person for help, before signing the agreement.  

Idealse would take the security deposit and the first rental payment from you. It is a legal requirement that the tenancy deposit is registered with a Government approved deposit scheme after it has been paid.

Idealse would collect any balance of any monies owed such as the first months’ rent, the deposit and any outstanding fees.

Idealse or the Landlord would have prepared an inventory.  An inventory describes the condition of the property and anything left behind by the landlord. It is used when you leave the property to ensure that the condition that you leave it in can be fairly assessed against any deposit deductions that may come up.

Building Insurance – The Landlord is responsible for ensuring that the building is insured.

Content Insurance – You are responsible for insuring your possessions by taking in content insurance.  You can speak to us for assistance.

As your tenancy starts, both you and your landlord have responsibilities to carry out during your tenancy at the property.  This includes:

Tenant’s responsibilities, amongst others:

• Pay the rent on time
• Pay the council tax
• Pay all the utility bills and the TV licence unless otherwise agreed
• Do general household and garden maintenance
• Dispose of all rubbish
• Clean the windows
• Carry out basic maintenance* such as replacing light bulbs
• Keep the property secure at all times
• Advise of any repairs or maintenance needed as soon as it arises
• Ventilate property – this prevent condensation / mould or damp in the property
• Not to create unnecessary noise for neighbours / no anti-social behaviour

In return you should be able to expect to:

• Live in the property undisturbed.
• Be given 24 hours’ notice if access to the property is required
• Have the landlord maintain the property to a good state of repair (unless you are responsible for the damage)
• Have all gas, electricity and water supplies in working order
• Have access to all operating instructions for any appliances and equipment
• Be charged a fair market rate

All tenancies have stipulated amount of notice period a tenant must give to end his/her tenancy. You should tell Idealse or your Landlord in writing when you decide to end your tenancy as per terms of your agreement.

At the end of the tenancy we will arrange a check-out appointment. You will need to:

• Have paid all of the rent due
• Make sure all of your belongings have been removed from the property
• Hand back all keys
• Make sure that the property is clean (to a professional standard) and that all contents are left intact
• Take a note of the meter readings
• Redirect mail & cancel all media services
• Cancel your standing order (we can’t do this for you)
• Furniture must be left in the same place as stated on the inventory
• Replace light bulbs that are not working
• Ensure the garden has been tended to and left in the same condition as stated on your inventory and move in photographs
• Put the rubbish bins out

At the checkout, the property and its contents will be assessed and compared to the initial inventory and subsequent inspection reports.  The results will be reported back to both the landlord and you. The expectation is that the property is left in the same condition in which it was let to you – allowing for fair wear and tear.

Within 10 working days of the tenancy ending, any deductions from the tenancy deposit should be agreed. The formalities of how and when the deposit is returned will depend on the provider that protects the deposit. You can refer to the Tenant guide to tenancy deposit protection for more information.